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the sweet scoop
Lowlife Brings High-End Dining to the Lower East Side
Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 09:11 AM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsPower duo Hugh Crickmore, former partner of Mas (farmhouse), and chef Alex Leonard, of two Michelin-starred Blanca, teamed up to open Lowlife on the Lower East Side.
Officially open to the public on Monday, the 70-seat restaurant showcases a thoughtful approach to seasonal ingredients. The à la carte menu, which draws inspiration from Japanese culinary techniques, features refined dishes—including lamb tartare with mint and shrimp salt, borscht with raw cream and trout roe, and yakitori-style chicken grilled on a robata—all elegantly plated, though the setting is casual and comfortable.
Leonard is embracing more complex techniques and flavor combinations, while allowing the ingredients to shine. Much of the kitchen’s produce hails from an organic Catskills farm owned by Crickmore’s brother, breads are sourced from Roberta’s in Brooklyn, and the chef makes his own vinegars, pickles, kimchee, freshly-churned butter, and cheese in-house.
With beautifully presented modern fare, a wine list focused on natural and sustainable winemaking, and a mid-century-modern-inspired interior, one thing is certain about this Stanton Street newcomer: there’s nothing lowlife about it.
Lowlife, 178 Stanton Street, 212.257.0509, lowlifenyc.com | Image: Melissa Hom for Grub Street
Inside the 2012 LUCKYRICE Grand Feast
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 08:05 AM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsWasabi macarons, edamame dumplings, pig’s blood popsicles. These were just a few of the impressive Asian-inspired delicacies sampled at the LUCKYRICE Grand Feast on Friday night. Held at the Mandarin Oriental’s majestic 36th-floor ballroom, this epic celebration drew top chefs from around the globe, including Masaharu Morimoto, Michael Anthony, Ming Tsai, Todd English, Ian Kittichai, Susur Lee and many others from who presented unique interpretations of Asian cuisine.
Packed into the grandiose space, guests sipped and sampled their way through Asia’s diverse cultures without ever leaving NYC. Participating restaurants included Betel, Buddakan, Ember Room, Gramercy Tavern, The Hurricane Club, Junoon, Morimoto, Public, Perry St and Tulsi. To wash down all the flavorful bites, there was also a slew of beverage options, from smooth Suntory whiskies and Singha beer to Bombay Sapphire cocktails and scads of sake. And with all event proceeds benefiting City Harvest, what better reason to pick up some chopsticks and chow down?
For additional coverage, check out my recap of the 2011 LUCKYRICE Festival.